May 2017

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Dear Broward County Residents,

I am honored to serve as your County Commissioner, representing our coastal communities from Deerfield Beach to Fort Lauderdale and all of the amazing communities in between. Here are some recent highlights from around Broward County:

Opioid Epidemic in Broward County

Our nation is in the middle of an unprecedented opioid epidemic with more deaths from drug overdoses in 2014 than in any year on record. And, the majority of drug overdose deaths (more than 6 out of 10) involved an opioid. The rate of overdose deaths in the nation has nearly quadrupled since 1999. The effects of this epidemic are on the rise in the State of Florida as well. Broward County has also seen staggering increases of drug overdoses. After compiling an extensive amount of data, Broward’s Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services has announced that 582 people lost their lives to drugs in Broward in 2016, more than double the amount in 2014, and up by 260 deaths from 2015.

After several counties urged Governor Rick Scott to declare a Public Health Emergency in the State of Florida, on May 3rd following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declaring a national opioid epidemic, Governor Rick Scott signed Executive Order 17-146 declaring a Public Health Emergency across the state. By signing the Emergency Order, it allows the state to immediately draw down on more than $27 million in federal grant funding from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Opioid State Targeted Response Grant which was awarded to Florida on April 21st to provide prevention, treatment and recovery support services. In addition to declaring a Public Health Emergency, Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip issued a standing order for Naloxone, an emergency treatment for opioid overdose. This will ensure that first responders have immediate access to this lifesaving drug to respond to opioid overdoses.

With the rising numbers of overdoses in Broward County, I sponsored a resolution to extend our support for the Governor’s Executive Order declaring a Public Health Emergency for the State of Florida and the Board of County Commissioners unanimously supported this resolution. The Board also supported the efforts of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Justice, and the National City-County Task Force to curtail the overprescribing of opioids with more physician education and better risk assessment of patients. These are a few of the steps that Broward County is taking to ensure that we are doing everything possible to raise awareness, stop drug abuse and save lives.

Proper Flag Disposal

I was inspired when I heard about a program that the National Association of Counties was doing with the National Flag Foundation and the National Sheriff’s Association. When a flag is worn, tattered, ripped or soiled beyond repair, it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country and should be retired and disposed of properly. As part of the program, residents can now dispose of old, tattered and torn flags at Broward County Government Center locations and various other locations around Broward County. Flags deposited in designated boxes will be collected and disposed of properly and should be folded appropriately before being placed in the box. I am proud to have brought this resource to the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. This program is part of a national campaign to support flag etiquette, ensuring a dignified retirement for our U.S. Flag.

Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea4501 Ocean DriveLauderdale by the Sea, 33308

Community Hurricane Preparedness Event

Hurricane season is quickly approaching and preparations are now underway for the “Eye of the Storm” community hurricane preparedness event sponsored by the Florida International University Hurricane Research Center, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Broward County, City of Fort Lauderdale and the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS). This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 20th, from 10AM to 5PM at the educational MODS facility located at 401 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, 33312.

Activities include; interactive demonstrations with tropical weather briefing and hurricane hunters, presentations by hurricane experts, the opportunity to explore the museums storm center while meeting local TV meteorologists, and live theater shows for all ages. Free museum admission is granted for the event and this is a wonderful way to get the entire family to begin preparing for hurricane season which runs June 1st thru November 30th.

“Beach Bud “Adoption Event

On May 20th from 11AM to 4PM, Broward County Animal Care and Adoption will host a special “Beach Bud” adoption event at the Animal Care Adoption Center located at 2400 Southwest 42nd street in Fort Lauderdale. In order to put the spotlight on big dogs that are typically not adopted as quickly as smaller dogs, a promotion of all adoption fees on larger–sized dogs (40lbs or more) will be waived. Additionally, adopters who select a big dog that day will receive a special keepsake “Beach Bud Bag” filled with items to help care for their new pet.

The Resident's Guide to Government provides a convenient resource to help people stay connected to their local government. It includes contact information for County officials and Federal, State, and local agencies. Visitors can subscribe to E-news and social media sites. Please sign up at www.Broward.org/District4 to receive email updates from our office. If there is anything that we can do to assist you with your vision for a better Broward, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 954-357-7004 or by email at clamarca@broward.org.

Broward County Commission Meetings
The Broward County Commission meets generally on Tuesdays at 10:00 am in Room 422 of the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. (Commission Meeting Schedule and Agenda are listed here:
Broward.org/Commission/Pages/Meetings.aspx) Residents can view live coverage of the Commission meetings on Comcast Cable channels 12 and 77; Advanced Communications channels 64 and 25; AT&T U-verse channel 99, and through the County's website at broward.org/video/ The County Commission meetings are rebroadcast at 5:30 p.m. each Friday following a Tuesday Commission meeting.